Tinton Falls bans the release of balloons

Microplastics, including microbeads found in common personal care items, threaten the health of sea creatures, and possibly humans.

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Balloons are festive and fun at many events, whether blown up, filled with helium, or used in water balloon fights. However, when not handled and discarded properly they can harm pets, wildlife and the environment.(Photo: File photo)Buy Photo

TINTON FALLS - The borough has joined a growing list of communities with bans on the intentional release of balloons filled with lighter-than-air gas, such as helium.

Officials said the ban was put in place for environmental concerns such as those posed to wildlife and because of the potential that loose balloons could damage power lines and electrical equipment.

"We have high tension power lines that run through our town that the balloons could be detrimental to," said Councilman Brock Siebert, the council liaison to the town's Environmental Commision where the initiative for the ban originated.

The language of the ban, which was approved unanimously by the council on Tuesday, was borrowed from other New Jersey communities that have banned the intentional release of balloons.

So far 14 towns, including Shore towns Bradley Beach and Long Beach Township, have banned the balloon releases. Asbury Park introduced a balloon release ban last month and will vote Sept. 26.

Tinton Falls rules state that the release of multiple balloons will be considered a single offense.

The exceptions are balloons that are released by a person on behalf of a governmental agency or pursuant to a governmental contract for scientific or meteorological purposes; hot air balloons that are recovered after launching and balloons released indoors.

"We're not going after the child who accidentally lets a balloon go. We're looking to reduce waste," said Siebert. "If you're having a party with balloons, may sure you pop them and throw them out."

Balloons contribute to what is known as microplastics, which are pieces of smaller plastics that enter the environment through the breakdown of larger plastics and are accidentally consumed by wildlife. See the above video about microplastics and the harm to the environment.